Lower Decks

On May 8th, 2009 Star Trek (2009) opens in theaters. That’s only a month away. Judging from what I’ve been reading online a lot of people are looking forward to this new take on the Star Trek franchise. I’m not one of them. Oh, I’ll be seeing it on the big screen. I might even go out of my way to see it opening night. But I’m not excited for it. As has been the case with every Star Trek movie I’ve remained as unspoiled as possible. I’ve seen the pictures and watched the trailers. That’s it.

And frankly, I’m not sure what to think.

What bothers me more than the thought that Star Trek (2009) might not be a great movie is the reaction simply alluding to the fact that I haven’t liked the trailers has evoked. It’s akin to saying Serenity was utterly brilliant or SCI FI’s Battlestar Galactica hasn’t changed television forever. I loved Serenity, so I’m good on that count, but the same can’t be said for Battlestar Galactica (for the record, I thought the first two seasons were great, the third disappointing and the fourth a disaster; don’t get me started on the finale).

But if I hated Serenity and thought Battlestar Galactica was the worst television series of all time, that wouldn’t be a problem. Would it? Would it really bother anyone how I felt? I don’t see why it should but for some reason, among certain circles and regarding certain movies or television shows, suggesting that said movies or television shows aren’t beloved by all is seen as somehow offensive. It’s just a difference of opinion.

Anyway, the main problem I have with the trailers for Star Trek (2009) is that they appear to be promoting a purely action-driven movie, with explosions and fight scenes and even motorcycles. I don’t have anything against action-driven movies, or explosions and fight scenes or even motorcycles. I’d just like to know a little more about the story, that’s all. To make sure I’m not picking on Star Trek (2009), I went and watched trailers for the previous four Star Trek movies: Generations, First Contact, Insurrection and Nemesis.

Aside from Nemesis, the trailers for all the movies were less flashy than those for Star Trek (2009) and did a much better job indicating what the movies were about. The trailer for Nemesis was unclear but then again so was the movie as a whole. Perhaps trailers these days are put together differently. Perhaps study groups have proven that quick cuts and explosions are the way to hook audiences. All I know is that based solely on the trailers Star Trek (2009) isn’t a movie I’m particularly interested in seeing.

Does that mean the movie will be a bad one? No. I’m well aware that trailers don’t always tell the real story. Case in point: Hart’s War, released in 2002. The trailers I saw on television made it look like a war movie with battles and explosions. The movie, though, was more of a legal drama. That was a disappointment. I’m going to try sitting down to watch Star Trek (2009) with an open mind. I hope it isn’t going to be a disappointment.